why did jrdan make most the women in the series completely annoying b%#$^#

[Benjamin]

I seriously have major issues with the women in these books I want them to just shut there whore mouths most the time lol they have no redeeming qualitys to them and as a matter of fact lanfear seems to be the only likable one

[Beverly]

I agree that the women in the books were totally annoying with their superior, sexist attitudes. I kept reading the books thinking that Rand would grow a spine and put them down a very much needed peg or two. If that is how Jordan really viewed women than he must have had an extremely large inferioraty complex.

That said, your deragatory term is inappropriate.

[Benjamin]

I know I shouldn't have said that but sometimes I just need to vent some frustration after reading god I hate those women

[Greg]

Agreed! I hated the women in this series, what few books I read of it. They reminded me of my ex-wife, nagging and bitchin' and keeping all their little secrets to themselves when if they woulda let the others know the truth of things, it would've been to everyone's benefit.

[Liz]

Yep, almost every one of 20 or so female characters have tempers, think no one should disagree with them, think they need to manage men and other women, yell at people, pout, and keep secrets. There is so little variety among the women! You don't have to be like that to be a strong woman.

[James]

Robert Jordan could have benefited from reading some historical romance. No matter what you think of the romance genre in general, there are some very good authors out there like Sherry Thomas, Maya Rodale, and Monica Burns, who really know how to develop strong multidimensional women who do much more than try to control and manipulate the men they love. For example, I can't think of a single woman character who has a sense of humor in this series. My wife is an avid reader of historical romance and a day does not go by without her laughing out loud at something a character said or did. Jordan's women all seem to be cut from the same mold. They just wear different clothes and have different accents.

[Beverly]

James wrote: "Robert Jordan could have benefited from reading some historical romance. No matter what you think of the romance genre in general, there are some very good authors out there like Sherry Thomas, May..."

I agree!

[Alexis]

Yeah, for a little while I thought that Faile was an exception but turns out that I forgot about her insane jealousy issues.

[Paul Martin]

I know, it ruined much of the series for me too. It's even weirder considering that his wife was also his editor - I've seen her doing interviews and she doesn't resemble the women in the books one bit; where the hell did he get the inspiration to write women characters like that?

[Wastrel]

According to Jordan, iirc, all the women in the series were inspired by his wife and the result of suggestions from his wife, plus of course his wife was also his editor.

So... it takes all sorts?

[Greg]

I was wondered about that myself. I mean how could you base all the women characters of a big series like WoT on one female and expect to create interesting women characters?

[Benjamin]

well if his wife was the model for all the "good" female characters. no wonder I only like the bad ones

[Sandra]

There's a point to the women being sexist and ruling with iron fists. Because it was a man that brought corruption to the male half of their power, men cannot use the magic power unless they go insane. They have a whole sect of the Ajah (the Red Ajah) that will go out and hunt down any man that shows any abilities whatsoever, because they don't want them to destroy civilization again. Think of it this way, religious leaders believe women need to be "put in place" because they are the reason for the fall of man (Eve eating the apple). It's the same thing.

[Leah]

Sandra wrote: "There's a point to the women being sexist and ruling with iron fists. Because it was a man that brought corruption to the male half of their power, men cannot use the magic power unless they go in..."

Thank you for putting into words what I have been thinking for so long. I am terrible at it. That is exactly right.

[Bryan]

Sandra wrote: "There's a point to the women being sexist and ruling with iron fists. Because it was a man that brought corruption to the male half of their power, men cannot use the magic power unless they go in..."

Or...maybe Jordan was just not very good at writing characters. Don't get me wrong, I love (some of) the books in this series, but there are different aspects of writing, and characterizations was one that was not a particularly strong suit for old RJ. Really, his male characters were little better. They all tend to respond to situations with the same sort of stock mannerisms.

[Sandra]

I was thoroughly engrossed by the series myself. I found the men were still acting boyish and self-centered through most of the series. The first to mature and come to grips with their destiny was Rand. It was near the end of the series before Matt and Perrin became "adults". The women, while being raised to be the leaders of the world, were way more mature in handling what was before them. Granted, the main characters were in their late teens and early 20's, and if I can remember those years, I think most people that age behave pretty similar to the ones in the book.

[Bobby]

Perhaps Jordan was trying to be realistic? ;)

[Benjamin]

Bobby wrote: "Perhaps Jordan was trying to be realistic? ;)"hahahaha I like your explanation the best

[Arbré]

Building on Sandra's point Jordan was trying to produce a reverse sexist world where women were used to having power. He came up with what looked like a medieval world where instead of women doing as they were told men did as they were told. No he was not being the least realistic, the medieval world had plenty of sexism. If his wife was the editor though I wonder if the last few books had better female characters due to the new author. It was a well done aspect though he did go a little far with it.

[Sindy]

I have to agree I felt that Jordans went to far. There were so many ways to write out the characteristics of women and Jordan failed miserably, his failure was most apparent in Egwene she was the epitome of a self richious egotistical b****.
Not to to forget Elaine and Nynaeve's part in the ill treatment of Mat. It was despicable.

[Leah]

I actually kind of like Egwene in the later books. Of course I am only on the seventh one. My opinion of her could change. But Elayne and Nyneave are horrible, especially in their treatment of Mat, which was despicable, but also everyone else. Especially Nyneave, she is awful, I hate her the most out of all of them.

[Arbré]

Their treatment of mat was so cookie cut that a surprising number of people sympathized with Elayne instead of Mat

[Leah]

Really? I can't think of why? But ok.